The importance of relationships in political advocacy.

Relationships in advocacy form the basis for physicians to help their practices and patients navigate the challenges and complexities of the modern medical world. John Joyce, MD, is the US Representative from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. He serves as a member of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee and has a leadership role in their Health Care Subcommittee. He is a member of the Doctors Caucus, a group of members from both parties with a health care background receiving weekly briefings on current health issues. He is a board-certified dermatologist and spent many years in private practice in Central Pennsylvania. I have known him for over 30 years and serve as the AAOS Ambassador to Dr. Joyce. Through an interview format, Dr. Joyce discusses the value of advocacy to him now that he is on the legislative side, how best for physicians to advocate for their patients and practices, and what strategies are most effective, and which are less effective or counterproductive. He shares what he has learned that would have benefitted him when he was a full-time practicing private practice clinician about advocacy and relationships with legislators. His experience in both medicine and Congress makes him especially unique to educate us on the value of relationships in advocacy for physicians.